Scaling up for connectivity, wildlife habitat, water quality, and climate resilience
With the Pemaquid Wild Pathways initiative, as with the River~Link corridor on the Boothbay Peninsula, we aim to conserve a large, permanently protected, and publicly accessible land area that spans several thousand acres. This connected land will support climate resilience, clean water, wildlife, and recreation at a vital scale.
Large, connected corridors like this one and River~Link are essential because they can support a broader range of wildlife species than smaller, fragmented areas. These corridors provide safe havens for many birds and other elusive creatures that thrive in places far from human activity and pets.
In addition to supporting wildlife, the success of this effort significantly benefits the health of our waterways. The wetlands act as natural buffers and filtration systems, absorbing, slowing, and purifying the flow of water before it reaches the Pemaquid and Damariscotta Rivers.
The Half Moon Pond Conservation Area
Named for its pristine, crescent-shaped pond at the center, the Half Moon Pond Conservation Area is at the heart of the Pemaquid Wild Pathways initiative. It is located within the largest undeveloped habitat block on the Pemaquid Peninsula—one of the most biodiverse areas in the region. The 4,000-acre habitat corridor stretches from the expanding Half Moon Pond Conservation Area to Castner Brook Community Forest in Damariscotta.
The area represents a rich mosaic of different habitat types, including acres upon acres of undisturbed wetland habitat, vernal pools, beaver dams, and ponds frequented by inland wading birds and waterfowl. Its woodlands provide deer wintering grounds and habitat for moose, fisher, bobcat, and other mammals.
Starting with a 487-acre purchase in 2022, Coastal Rivers has significantly expanded this corridor over the past few years. As of January 2025, the corridor now spans over 1,100 acres.
Looking Ahead
Coastal Rivers is committed to further expanding this corridor through ongoing land conservation efforts, ensuring this unique and vital area remains healthy and connected.
We are also exploring ways to enhance streamflow and improve habitat health, with efforts focused on controlling invasive species and reducing erosion on the properties we manage.
We are still actively fundraising for the Pemaquid Wild Pathways Initiative. For more information, please contact Steven Hufnagel.
River~Link
Along with many state, municipal and non-profit partners, Coastal Rivers has been working on a similar initiative on the Boothbay peninsula – River~Link – for many years. Learn more here!
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Header photo by Brian Goding.
